Photo caption:Bandits kingpin Turji refutes claim of top commander Baleris capture
The Nasarawa State Police Command said it would arraign a 21-year-old suspect, Fatima Salisu, who was arrested with 481 rounds of ammunition in the Azuba area of Lafia, the state capital, in court.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Rahman Nansel, disclosed this in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Thursday.
Rahman had earlier stated on Thursday that the suspect was intercepted while allegedly transporting the ammunition to suspected criminal elements in Katsina.
The PPRO noted that the suspect was subsequently arrested through intelligence information and the recovery of 481 rounds of different ammunition.
He stated, “In a bold and precise security operation, operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command have arrested a 21-year-old female suspected arms trafficker in a mission that cut across key local government areas.
“The operation was launched following credible intelligence. The suspect, Fatima Salisu, a native of Funtua town in Katsina State, was intercepted at the Azuba area of Lafia while allegedly transporting a deadly haul of ammunition through Keana and Doma LGAs, en route to deliver the consignment to criminal elements in Katsina.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence tip-off, Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit. The team acted with precision, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of 400 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition and 81 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.”
In a follow-up conversation on Thursday, the PPRO noted that the suspect was undergoing a discreet investigation and would be charged in court upon the conclusion of an ongoing investigation.
“The suspect is now in custody and undergoing rigorous interrogation as investigators work to dismantle the arms-trafficking network and trace its possible links to armed banditry and terrorism.
“She will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded. This arrest marks a significant win in the ongoing fight against illegal arms proliferation and criminality in the region,” Nansel said.
PUNCH Metro reported a similar arrest on May 11 when two notorious gunrunners, Yahaya Adamu and Saeedu Haruna, were arrested in Plateau State by troops of the 3 Division/Operation Safe Haven.
The operation leading to their arrest was conducted between May 10 and 11, 2025, in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where the suspects were found with one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, and one ITEL phone.
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